Program Specialist Job Description and Role Overview

The Program Specialist role is suited to candidates with experience in marketing and communications who can coordinate multi stakeholder programmes, support campaign delivery and ensure quality reporting. Applicants should have strong organisational and communication skills, a practical understanding of programme planning and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Program Specialist Job Profile

The Program Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring marketing and communications programmes to achieve defined objectives. This role focuses on connecting teams, managing activities across multiple channels and ensuring activities align with strategic goals.

The purpose of the role is to provide operational leadership for programme delivery, maintain robust governance and reporting, and support continuous improvement to maximise impact and efficiency.

Program Specialist Job Description

The Program Specialist will manage end to end programme activities including scheduling, stakeholder liaison, quality assurance and performance tracking. The role requires close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to ensure timely delivery of communications, events and campaign elements while maintaining compliance with organisational standards.

Day to day responsibilities include translating strategic plans into actionable workstreams, maintaining programme documentation, producing clear progress reports and identifying risks and mitigation measures. The role demands proactive problem solving, attention to detail and the ability to adapt plans in response to changing priorities.

The successful candidate will also contribute to evaluation activities, capturing lessons learned and recommending process improvements to enhance future programme effectiveness.

Program Specialist: Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed programme plans and schedules to track milestones and deliverables.
• Coordinate cross functional teams to ensure aligned execution of communications and marketing activities.
• Prepare concise progress updates, performance reports and dashboard summaries for stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder communications, build relationships and facilitate meetings to drive decisions.
• Support development and review of communications materials to ensure consistency and quality.
• Monitor programme budgets and expenditures, raising issues and recommending corrective action when required.
• Identify risks and issues, document mitigation plans and follow through to resolution.
• Collect and analyse programme data to assess performance against objectives and targets.
• Coordinate events, workshops and training sessions as required to support programme aims.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, governance requirements and external regulations.
• Manage relationships with vendors and external partners, overseeing deliverables and timelines.
• Support monitoring and evaluation activities to measure outcomes and inform future planning.
• Maintain accurate programme documentation, version control and knowledge repositories.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise processes and improve efficiency.
• Represent the programme at internal forums and contribute to strategy and planning discussions.

Program Specialist: Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in marketing, communications, business, social sciences or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in programme or project coordination within marketing, communications or related functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce clear reports and briefings.
• Demonstrable stakeholder management and relationship building experience.
• Solid organisational skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, data collection and basic analysis for performance reporting.
• Good numerical skills and experience monitoring budgets and financial records.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high quality standards.
• Problem solving skills and the ability to identify pragmatic solutions under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast paced environment.
• Familiarity with governance and compliance processes relevant to programme delivery.
• Proactive attitude towards continuous improvement and implementing best practice.
• Willingness to engage with diverse stakeholders and adapt communication style accordingly.